Most amateur players are always looking for equipment that will make the game of golf easier, whether that’s finding more fairways, holing more putts, or improving ball striking.
In a world where technological advancements are making the game easier, many golf brands have released more forgiving products, which allow off-centre strikes to result in positive outcomes.
The PING 430 Max driver is renowned for its ability to propel mishits down the fairway and into play. It’s a similar story for the Taylormade QI10 fairway wood, which is known for how easy it is to get off the ground.
However, YouTube golfer Rick Shiels believes there’s another forgiving product which should be released in 2025.
Rick Shiels wants new club in 2025
- READ MORE: How much YouTube stars Rick Shiels and Peter Finch won as PGA Tour player hosts $100k skins match
Speaking on the latest edition of the Rick Shiels Golf Show Podcast, the Englishman admitted he would love to see a new high-loft driver released in 2025, a product that would ‘fix’ issues for most amateurs.
“I really hope brands bring this out this year. There is real importance in bringing out a lofted driver,” Shiels explained.
“We saw it with the Top Golf driver this year, make something a bit smaller, a bit shorter shafted with more loft and genuinely, that is the fix for most people’s driver issues.
“I remember when I used to coach, I used to have this 16-degree Taylor Made driver in the studio, and if someone was struggling with a driver, I would say just give this a hit out of interest and wouldn’t tell them anything about it. Almost all the time, they hit the ball better.”
This isn’t the first time the YouTuber has had his say on equipment. Shiels recently named his favourite ever irons, having carried the same set for nearly seven years.
How much new lofted driver should cost
If a new lofted driver were to emerge in 2024, the price point would be vital. In today’s market, amateurs would need to part with at least $500 to get their hands on the newest technology from Ping or Taylormade, and that’s not even taking into account a fitting.
There’s a real chance one of the elite golf brands will make an affordable, high-quality product available to the masses.
The $300 price bracket feels like an excellent point to target, and Shiels agrees. “I honestly think if a big brand made a massive push for lofted drivers and really sold the benefits of a lofted driver with a shorter shaft, I think they would win,” Shiels added.
“And make it cheap. Make it £250 or £300, and it is genuinely the easiest club to hit. Loft is your friend. I think the brands need to come out with that.”
Receive exclusive golf news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
